One of the greatest challenges of the modern author is how to market their books in an expanding marketplace. Marketing is defined as placing a product or service for a specific target market for sale in the marketplace. There are some basic business principles that can assist an author in developing a winning marketing strategy. Let’s take a look at the marketing mix: product, price, place, and promotion.
Your product is your book. Some questions to consider before placing your book in the marketplaces are:
- Who is your ideal reader and how do I reach them?
- What does your ideal reader want from your book?
- How and where will the reader be most comfortable reading it?
- What are current industry standards for books in your genre in regards to the exterior and interior design?
- What is a good title for your book?
- How is your book different than your competitors?
Your price determines the value of your book. Some questions to consider in determining the price of your book is:
- What is the value of the book to your ideal reader?
- What are the established price points for books in your genre? For example, here are some typical price ranges for paperback books based on page count:
110 – 175 pages: $12.95 – $15.95
176 – 250 pages: $13.95 – $19.95
251 – 325 pages: $14.95 – $21.95
326 – 400 pages: $15.95 – $24.95 - How does the price of your book compare with your competitors?
The accessibility or place where your book can be found is another critical element in your marketing strategy. Some questions to consider before placing your book out there:
- Where does your ideal reader look for your book? (Online and in a physical location)
- How can your ideal reader access your book?
- In what formats are your book available?
- Where do your competitors sell their books?
- What channels of distribution are open to you to sell on?
The promotion of your book is almost as critical as writing your book. Numerous authors have written good books, but without the proper promotion they stay packed up in the trunk of your car or locked in the attic somewhere. Here are some questions to consider when deciding how to promote your book:
- Where and when is the best time to promote your book to your ideal reader?
- How will you reach your ideal reader? (TV, social media ads, radio, etc.)
- How do your competitors do their promotions?
Understanding the marketing puzzle will put you at the head of the class. I am available to assist you in developing a winning marketing strategy for your book.
I hope you learn solid principles to help you on your journey of success—whatever success means to you.
Change something today to make your tomorrow better.
Tom Blubaugh
Literary Strategist, LLC
TomBlubaugh.net
tom@tomblubaugh.net
417-812-6110